Regional ecosystem details for 6.6.1
| Regional ecosystem | 6.6.1 |
|---|---|
| Vegetation Management Act class | Least concern |
| Wetlands | Not a Wetland |
| Biodiversity status | Of concern |
| Subregion | 11, 7, 10, 3, (5), (8), (5.5), (2) |
| Estimated extent1 | Pre-clearing 237000 ha; Remnant 2021 228000 ha |
| Short description | Eremophila sturtii, Hakea leucoptera, Acacia ammophila, Acacia aneura in mixed tall open shrublands on reticulate dunes over alluvium |
| Structure code | Tall Shrubland |
| Description | Mixed tall open shrubland to shrubland, including combinations of the species Eremophila sturtii, Hakea leucoptera, Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustissima, Acacia ammophila, Acacia aneura, Atalaya hemiglauca and Ventilago viminalis. Other shrubs may include Grevillea juncifolia, Santalum lanceolatum and Acacia tetragonophylla. The ground layer is variable and commonly grasses and forbs, including Sclerolaena spp., Eragrostis spp. and Aristida holathera var. holathera. Small groves of Acacia cambagei woodland may be scattered through this regional ecosystem. Occurs on convex, reticulate dunes less than 5m high, formed from aeolian Quaternary sands. The dunes usually overlie recent clay alluvia. Associated soils are very deep, red earthy sands to siliceous sands. Ferruginous hardpans may underlie these layers. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). Vegetation communities in this regional ecosystem include: 6.6.1a: Acacia ammophila tall open shrubland. Other trees and tall shrubs such as Acacia aneura, Atalaya hemiglauca, Hakea leucoptera and Ventilago viminalis occur and may co-dominate. Low shrubs such as Eremophila sturtii and Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustissima are present in places and form a distinct low shrubby layer. The ground layer is composed of grasses and forbs. Occurs on convex, low reticulate dunes. Soils are very deep, earthy sands to siliceous sands with clayey layers at depth. Ferruginous hardpans may underlie these sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). 6.6.1b: [RE not in use]²: This vegetation community is now mapped as 6.6.1x1. Mixed low open woodland to woodland, including combinations of the species Atalaya hemiglauca, Ventilago viminalis, Acacia aneura, Corymbia terminalis, Hakea chordophylla and Owenia acidula. A variable, lower shrub layer may occur. The ground layer is variable. Common forb species include Crotalaria eremaea, Salsola australis, Tribulus terrestris and Euphorbia wheeleri. Grasses such as Eriachne aristidea and Eragrostis spp. may occur. Occurs on isolated low dunes and sand mounds, and sometimes rounded mobile crests formed from Quaternary aeolian sands overlying alluvia in the north-west of the bioregion. Soils are red to yellow siliceous sands on dunes with sandy surface texture contrast soils on flanks. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). 6.6.1c: Mixed tall open shrubland, including combinations of the species Eremophila sturtii, Hakea leucoptera, Acacia ammophila, Acacia aneura, Atalaya hemiglauca and Ventilago viminalis. Other shrubs may include Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustissima, Grevillea juncifolia, Santalum lanceolatum and Acacia tetragonophylla. The ground layer is variable and commonly grasses and forbs, including Sclerolaena spp., Eragrostis spp. and Aristida holathera var. holathera. Small groves of Acacia cambagei woodland are scattered throughout this regional ecosystem. Occurs on convex, reticulate dunes less than 5m high, formed from aeolian Quaternary sands. The dunes usually overlie recent clay alluvia. Associated soils are very deep, red earthy sands to siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). 6.6.1d: Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustissima, Eremophila sturtii shrubland. Emergent Atalaya hemiglauca, Acacia oswaldii and Hakea leucoptera may occur. The ground layer is variable and commonly grasses and forbs, including Sclerolaena spp. and Aristida holathera var. holathera. Occurs on convex, reticulate dunes less than 5m high, formed from aeolian Quaternary sands. The dunes usually overlie recent clay alluvia. Associated soils are very deep, red earthy sands to siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 23a). 6.6.1x1: Mixed woodland to low open woodland, with a combination of the species Corymbia terminalis, Atalaya hemiglauca, Ventilago viminalis, Corymbia clarksoniana and Eucalyptus melanophloia woodland. Other canopy species include Acacia aneura and Angophora melanoxylon. A secondary tree layer may occur, commonly dominated by Acacia aneura. A shrub layer commonly occurs, including Grevillea spp., Acacia spp. and Eremophila spp. The ground layer includes tussock and hummock grasses. Occurs on low sand dunes. Red siliceous sands. Not a Wetland. (BVG1M: 18a). |
| Supplementary description | Dawson (1974), D7 (LU 7), D5 (LU 11); Mills and Lee (1976), D3 (LU 3); Boyland (1984), 6a; Neldner (1984), 55 (151, 154) |
| Protected areas | Currawinya NP, Lake Bindegolly NP |
| Special values | 6.6.1: Habitat for threatened plant species including Acacia ammophila. 6.6.1c: Habitat for threatened plant species including Acacia ammophila. |
| Fire management guidelines | SEASON: Various (wet season or winter). INTENSITY: Low to moderate. INTERVAL: Fire return interval not relevant. INTERVAL_MIN: 100. INTERVAL_MAX: 100. STRATEGY: Aim to exclude fire by fuel reduction in adjacent vegetation communities where possible. Undertake partial burns when necessary to reduce fuel loads and protect against severe wildfire. Burn with high soil moisture (i.e., after rain/storms) or in winter. ISSUES: Some Acacias can be fire sensitive (A. shirleyi, A. aneura) and may be killed by high intensity fire. There is rarely enough fuel load to burn in these ecosystems. b: A. aneura may be killed by high intensity fire. There is rarely enough fuel load to burn in these ecosystems. |
| Comments | 6.6.1: Clay pans supporting a range of vegetation communities frequently occur in low-lying areas associated with this regional ecosystem. The composition and structural formation of this association varies considerably. Acacia ammophila dominates in a localised area around Lake Dynevor. Wind and water erosion has occurred in some areas (Dawson, 1974). 6.6.1a: This vegetation community is very limited in extent and restricted to the area around Lake Bindegolly in the south-west of the bioregion. 6.6.1b: Clay pans supporting are a range of vegetation communities frequently occur in low-lying areas associated with this regional ecosystem. 6.6.1x1: Vegetation community 6.6.1b has been amalgamated into this regional ecosystem. |
1 Estimated extent is from version 13.1 pre-clearing and 2021 remnant regional ecosystem mapping. Figures are rounded for simplicity. For more precise estimates, including breakdowns by tenure and other themes see remnant vegetation in Queensland.
2 Superseded: Revision of the regional ecosystem classification removed this regional ecosystem code from use. It is included in the regional ecosystem description database because the RE code may appear in older versions of RE mapping and the Vegetation Management regulation.
